Why don’t we…? Shall we…?

  • B1 · Intermediate
  • Grammar lesson
  • 60 min
  • suggestions

Making suggestions and answering them: Why don't we have the picnic by the lake? — Good idea. Shall we meet at noon? How about + -ing, and Let's… / Let's not… From a voice message about the team picnic to planning an event with your teacher.

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Why don't we…?Shall we…?How about…?

What's in the lesson

  1. 1Warm-up
  2. 2In this lesson
  3. 3Listen: Kirsten's messageListening comprehension
  4. 4What does it mean?Grammar exercise
  5. 5Find the suggestionsGrammar exercise
  6. 6Making suggestionsGrammar rule
  7. 7Choose the right formGrammar exercise
  8. 8Suggestions and answersGrammar exercise
  9. 9The team chatGrammar exercise
  10. 10Questions for your teacherGrammar exercise
  11. 11Say it naturallySpeaking practice
  12. 12Plan an eventSpeaking practice
  13. 13About youGrammar exercise
  14. 14Wrap-up

Homework

  1. 1Homework: which is right?Grammar exercise
  2. 2Homework: Evander's goodbye lunchGrammar exercise
  3. 3Homework: build the suggestionsGrammar exercise
  4. 4Homework: plans for the weekendDiscussion

Two slides from the lesson

Warm-up

A few questions about you before we start.

  1. When did you last go on a picnic? Where was it?
  2. Who usually plans the trips and parties with your friends or family?
  3. What do you usually say when you have an idea for the weekend?

Grammar rule

Making suggestions

Why don't we…? Shall we…? How about…? Let's…

FormWhat comes nextExample
Why don't we / you…?a base verbWhy don't we walk home? Why don't you call her?
Shall we…?a base verbShall we start?
How about…? / What about…?-ing, or a nounHow about renting bikes? How about tacos?
Let's… / Let's not…a base verbLet's ask the neighbors. Let's not tell anyone yet.
  • Why don't we…? is a suggestion, not a real question: answer it with your opinion, not with Because.
  • Shall we…? asks "Do you agree?" In American English, it sounds a little formal, and Should we…? is also common: Should we start?
  • In conversation, Americans also say How about we + a base verb: How about we eat outside?
  • Let's = let us, but we always say Let's for a suggestion.

How to answer

YesMaybeNo, politely
Good idea! · Sounds good. · Sure, why not? · Let's do it!Maybe. · I'm not sure.That's a good idea, but… · I'm not sure about that. + a reason or another idea

Watch out

  • How about + -ing: How about to rent bikes? / How about rent bikes? → How about renting bikes?
  • No to after Let's, Shall we or Why don't we: Let's to ask → Let's ask.
  • Word order: Why we don't walk home? → Why don't we walk home?
  • The negative is Let's not: Let's not tell anyone.

Teach it live with video and a whiteboard, or print it: the PDF has every slide, the homework and the answers.

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← Unit 6Would you mind…?